NBA Playoff Schedule 2015: How to Watch NBA Finals on TV and Live Stream

After a six-day absence, the NBA postseason will return on Thursday, June 4, when the NBA Finals begin. It’s only been two days since the Golden State Warriors finished off the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference, but it feels like it’s been twice that long.

This is what happens when hoops fans have been conditioned to expect meaningful basketball every day for the past month-and-a-half. 

Though neither the Warriors nor the Cleveland Cavaliers hail from what would be described as a major market, this Finals matchup is like a dream come true. Two of the league’s most popular NBA stars in the Cavs’ LeBron James and league MVP Stephen Curry of the Warriors have led franchises notoriously considered league doormats to the Finals. 

The old Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers or New York Knicks vs. Lakers Finals certainly have their appeal, but it’s nice to see some new blood vying for the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. Per NBC Sports on Twitter, James calls him and Curry unstoppable:

Fans outside of both Cleveland and Oakland hope he’s right. It could make for one heck of a show.

In case you’re interested—and I know you are—here’s the complete viewing information for the entire series.

Game 1: Thursday, June 4, Cleveland at Golden State, 9 p.m. ET, ABC

Game 2: Sunday, June 7, Cleveland at Golden State, 8 p.m. ET, ABC

Game 3: Tuesday, June 9, Golden State at Cleveland, 9 p.m. ET, ABC

Game 4: Thursday, June 11, Golden State at Cleveland, 9 p.m. ET, ABC

Game 5*: Sunday, June 14, Cleveland at Golden State, 8 p.m. ET, ABC

Game 6*: Tuesday, June 16, Golden State at Cleveland, 9 p.m. ET, ABC

Game 7*: Friday, June 19, Cleveland at Golden State, 9 p.m. ET, ABC

*If necessary

Live stream available on ESPN3 for all games

If you’re feeling a little frustration due to the long wait between the conference finals and NBA Finals, you might be slightly irritated by the number of two-day gaps between games during the series.

If the series goes seven games, there will be two days off between Games 1 and 2, 4 and 5 and 6 and 7. While that might initially seem excessive, it could help to provide a better brand of basketball.

Initially, both teams could stand to benefit from the delayed start of the series. The Cavs’ Kyrie Irving has battled injuries during the postseason, and both Andre Iguodala and Klay Thompson of the Warriors suffered injuries during the clincher against the Rockets.

Thompson’s was clearly the most serious of the two. 

He suffered a concussion after being kneed in the head, and his return to the court is unknown, per NBA TV on Twitter:

Normally, the Warriors and Cavs might want to get back on the court to stay in rhythm after just a few days off. However, in this scenario, both teams are likely happy to have the extra time to get as healthy as possible.

Let’s hope both teams get near 100 percent and we see an epic series.